Monday Miscellanea

Monday – 22nd October 1809: The Croydon Canal, linking Croydon to Deptford via Forest Hill, is opened. Requiring 28 locks to overcome the gradients of the route, it would never become a commercial success, and would be closed just 37 years later.

Tuesday – 23rd October 1731: A fire breaks out in Ashburnham House in Westminster, damaging much of the Cotton Library – a renowned collection of Middle English literature. Prompt action by the Speaker of the House of Commons manages to save about three quarters of the collection.

Thursday – 25th October 1976: The National Theatre on the South Bank is opened by the Queen, following several years of delays.

Friday – 26th October 1992: A 'Computer Aided Dispatch' system is introduced at London’s ambulance service. The system does not fare well, and is blamed for massive delays in assigning ambulances to calls (and reports of up to 30 deaths as a result).